Startup samples 60 GHz transceiver

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Startup Peraso Technologies Inc. (Toronto) is sampling a 60 GHz transceiver suitable for the 802.11ad and WiGig standards. The PRS1021 can deliver up to 3.52 Gbits/second over unlicensed 57 to 66 GHz bands.

The component is one of many expected over the next several months to implement 60 GHz data networking for a variety of notebooks, TVs and consumer devices. Late last year, Wilocity was one of the first of a number of 60 GHz startups to announce an integrated WiGig chip set.

Peraso’s PRS1021 consumes 310mW at 16.5 dBm EIRP in transmit mode and 270 mW in receive mode. It comes in a 7 x 7 x 0.6 mm package with integrated antennas and costs $5 in volumes of 100,000 or more. The device will be displayed at the CEATEC 2012 Wireless Exhibition in Tokyo, Oct. 2-6.

“With the PRS1021, Peraso clearly demonstrates it is possible to balance cost, size and performance in 60 GHz chip set products,” said Filomena Berardi, a senior analyst at HIS, speaking in a Peraso news release. “We believe 60 GHz is poised to play a significant role in CE connectivity in the years to come,” she added.

Ronald Glibbery, chief executive of Peraso, said the transceiver is the company’s “first step” toward a goal of enabling cost- and power-efficient 60 GHz networking. He suggested Peraso may be working on a baseband controller as well.

"In order to really drive our vision of USB 3.0 as a primary driver for this technology, it’s likely we’ll announce such a product over the next 3-6 months," wrote Glibbery in an email exchange. "On top of that, financing a baseband development is more probable now that the 60 GHz market is lot more certain and clear than it was four years ago," he added.

"We see USB 3.0 [notebook] dongles as playing an important role in getting the [60 GHz] market off the ground," wrote Glibbery. "Further on, we expect 60 GHz to be embedded in laptops," he said.

"Screen mirroring to a large, flat panel display is an important application for this industry," he added.Related stories: